UNM Anderson School of Management Team to Compete at International Competition
October 27, 2023 - Megan Borders
The UNM Anderson School of Management has announced that four sales students will compete in the 2023 International Collegiate Sales Competition Nov. 1-4 at Disney World, hosted by Florida State University. Student teams from around the world will compete for the top honor in sales – the World Cup trophy of sales and widespread recognition.
The competition measures a university's sales program by the students' abilities to generate revenue through three key areas of the sales profession: role play, speed selling and sales management.
The role-play round tests students' abilities to develop relationships with clients by selling a product to a real-life company; next, students showcase their problem-solving skills through the sales management case event; and conclude by demonstrating their speech and presentation skills in speed selling.
Anderson's team of Sara Barakat, Navaeh Elevario, Elizabeth Jeszke and Dominique Amor Ortega will compete in all three areas, representing Anderson on a world stage with other highly ranked sales teams from 80 universities.
"My biggest lesson that Anderson's sales program taught me is that sales is about listening and connecting to the person in front of you and figuring out how I can help solve their problem," said team member Sara Barakat.
Teammate Dominique Ortega added, "It is also learning how to step outside of your comfort zone and learning how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable."
Barbara Dawson and Justin Abel are coaching this year's team. Dawson comes to the sales program with 27 years of experience focused on entrepreneurial ventures. A former student sales competitor, Abel placed first in a role-play competition during his time in the sales program and is a senior business account executive with Comcast. He is paying it forward by sharing his valuable experiences and lessons with this year's ICSC team.
"Coaching these talented young ladies for this renowned international competition has been an honor. Each of these students is competent and exceptional in their own way. More so, by coaching this team, I am helping support women in the sales profession to succeed," said Dawson.
The four-day competition includes a job fair and a fundraiser. The job fair hosts national and global companies offering internships and job opportunities to student participants. Organizers have added a food drive this year, asking attendees to donate non-perishable food items.
Learn more about Anderson's sales program